Mike Lorenzo-Vera gave new meaning to the phrase 'driveable par four' as three late birdies kept him right in contention on day three of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

The Frenchman entered the third round in a share of the lead at Doha Golf Club but back to back bogeys had him struggling with five to play before he picked up a shot on the 15th.

His tee shot on the 307 yard par four next then took one bounce in the rough before hitting the window of a car down the left and bouncing in the direction of the green.

He was still in the rough but his second shot was sublime, leaving him 12 feet from the fringe for a second consecutive gain.

Another birdie on the 17th then left him just one shot off the lead alongside Australian Nick Cullen, Spaniard Nacho Elvira and South African Erik van Rooyen as the 34-year-old goes in search of a maiden European Tour title.

“I didn’t know it hit the car, I was sure I was in the water next to 17," he said. "I lost balance at the top of the backswing and pulled it.

"Kev, the referee, told me the ball was in the grass, I said ‘there’s no chance’. People told me it hit the car.

“I had a really good lie. I hit a great chip, was a bit surprised when it didn’t check but I had a great read where it could go in.

“I just wanted to stick around the top. It was a very tough day and few people would shoot five or six under. After two bogeys, I wanted to stay friendly with the course and shoot 72 - I knew there would be chances at the end but I forced myself to believe that I could do it and it happened.”